Subscription library
Encyclopedia
A subscription library is a library
that is financed by private funds either from membership fees or endowments. Unlike a public library
, access is often restricted to members, but access rights can also given to non-members, such as students.
was the first of these libraries, started in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin
.
With the advent of free public libraries in the 19th century most subscription libraries were replaced or taken over.
Subscription libraries, also known as social libraries, share many common factors with circulating libraries, making it difficult to tell them apart from one another because the difference between them is often subjective. Occasionally subscription libraries call themselves 'circulating libraries', and vice versa.
During the 18th century, many small, private book clubs evolved into subscription libraries, charging high annual fees or requiring subscribing members to purchase shares in the libraries. The materials available to subscribers tended to focus on particular subject areas, such as biography, history, philosophy, theology, and travel, rather than works of fiction, particularly the novel. However, the increasing production and demand for fiction promoted by commercial markets led to the rise of circulating libraries, which met a need that subscription libraries did not fulfil. Circulating libraries also charged subscription fees to users and offered serious subject matter as well as the popular novels, thus the difficulty in clearly distinguishing circulating from subscription libraries.
Subscription libraries were democratic in nature; created by and for communities of local subscribers who aimed to establish permanent collections of books and reading materials, rather than selling their collections annually as the circulating libraries tended to do, in order to raise funds to support their other commercial interests. Subscription libraries initially relied only on the regular subscription fees collected from their subscribers to maintain the premises housing their collection, rather than keeping the collection at the home of one of the members. Even though the subscription libraries were often founded by reading societies, committees, elected by the subscribers, chose books for the collection that were general, rather than aimed at a particular religious, political or professional group. The books selected for the collection were chosen because they would be mutually beneficial to the shareholders. The committee also selected the librarians who would manage the circulation of materials. Those employed to maintain the library collection had little influence on the selection of materials for the collection, as the members who owned the library wanted to maintain their control over the selection process.
Using the guidelines provided by Kelly, learned society libraries are private libraries, but these are owned by larger groups and materials are often lent or borrowed by qualified individuals or institutions outside the society itself. Societies were concerned mainly with the sciences, physical and biological and often cooperated with other groups like the Royal Society
. Exclusive subscription libraries, the oldest one in the world being the Chemical Society in London, was founded in 1841 for the general advancement of chemistry. The primary objective of the society was to guide and direct original research in chemistry and to disseminate that knowledge through debates, lectures and its own Journal.
However, in an edition of "Tom Tyler and his Wife" in 1661 the publisher and bookseller Francis Kirkman
included a catalogue of 690 plays which he claimed to be ready to lend "upon reasonable considerations" from his premises in Westminster.
In Britain there were more than 200 commercial circulating libraries open in 1800, more than twice the number of subscription and private proprietary libraries that were operating at the same time. Many proprietors pandered to the most fashionable clientele, making much ado about the sort of shop they offered, the lush interiors, plenty of room and long hours of service.
have founded independent libraries.
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
that is financed by private funds either from membership fees or endowments. Unlike a public library
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
, access is often restricted to members, but access rights can also given to non-members, such as students.
Origins
In the United States the earliest subscription libraries date back to the 18th century, when societies or groups of individuals joined to purchase books for a commonly run library. The Library Company of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
was the first of these libraries, started in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
.
With the advent of free public libraries in the 19th century most subscription libraries were replaced or taken over.
Subscription libraries, also known as social libraries, share many common factors with circulating libraries, making it difficult to tell them apart from one another because the difference between them is often subjective. Occasionally subscription libraries call themselves 'circulating libraries', and vice versa.
"Many ordinary circulating libraries might call themselves 'subscription' libraries because they charged a subscription, while the earliest private subscription libraries, such as Leeds, Warrington, or Liverpool, describe themselves as 'circulating' libraries in their titles. Since many circulating libraries called themselves after the town where they were situated, it is often difficult to distinguish the type of a particular library, especially since many are only known to posterity from a surviving book label, with nothing but the name as identification".
During the 18th century, many small, private book clubs evolved into subscription libraries, charging high annual fees or requiring subscribing members to purchase shares in the libraries. The materials available to subscribers tended to focus on particular subject areas, such as biography, history, philosophy, theology, and travel, rather than works of fiction, particularly the novel. However, the increasing production and demand for fiction promoted by commercial markets led to the rise of circulating libraries, which met a need that subscription libraries did not fulfil. Circulating libraries also charged subscription fees to users and offered serious subject matter as well as the popular novels, thus the difficulty in clearly distinguishing circulating from subscription libraries.
Subscription libraries were democratic in nature; created by and for communities of local subscribers who aimed to establish permanent collections of books and reading materials, rather than selling their collections annually as the circulating libraries tended to do, in order to raise funds to support their other commercial interests. Subscription libraries initially relied only on the regular subscription fees collected from their subscribers to maintain the premises housing their collection, rather than keeping the collection at the home of one of the members. Even though the subscription libraries were often founded by reading societies, committees, elected by the subscribers, chose books for the collection that were general, rather than aimed at a particular religious, political or professional group. The books selected for the collection were chosen because they would be mutually beneficial to the shareholders. The committee also selected the librarians who would manage the circulation of materials. Those employed to maintain the library collection had little influence on the selection of materials for the collection, as the members who owned the library wanted to maintain their control over the selection process.
Proprietary libraries
Subscription libraries are also referred to as 'proprietary' libraries due to the expectation that subscribers not only pay an annual fee, but they must also invest in shares in the subscription library. These shares may be transferred by sale, gift or bequest. Many could not afford to purchase shares to become a member of a subscription library, even though they may belong to reading clubs. The exclusive subscription libraries did not meet the needs of all the reading members in the communities, so circulating libraries became a popular alternative.Learned societies
In London, numerous scientific dabblers, amateurs, professionals and the resources to pursue these interests, were concentrated into this comparatively small geographic area in England. Monopolizing on this unique development, learned societies were born:
"These societies are voluntary associations of men and women who have come together because they are interested in the aims and objects which the societies serve and they feel that they can pursue those interests better as members of a society, rather than as individuals. The libraries therefore have been collected together for the purpose of serving the objects to which the various societies are dedicated and they do this, for the most part, by serving their members".
Using the guidelines provided by Kelly, learned society libraries are private libraries, but these are owned by larger groups and materials are often lent or borrowed by qualified individuals or institutions outside the society itself. Societies were concerned mainly with the sciences, physical and biological and often cooperated with other groups like the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
. Exclusive subscription libraries, the oldest one in the world being the Chemical Society in London, was founded in 1841 for the general advancement of chemistry. The primary objective of the society was to guide and direct original research in chemistry and to disseminate that knowledge through debates, lectures and its own Journal.
Professional association
Professional associations often maintain a quality library for use by its members. Some libraries also provide research facilities, and some send materials to members via email, fax or mail.Commercial circulating libraries
Commercial circulating libraries originally developed from the lending services of booksellers. William Bathoe claimed that his commercial venture was ‘the Original Circulating library’, opening doors at two locations in London 1737."Because circulating libraries usually developed from a specific shop or were founded from the outset at a particular commercial address, the association of place proved particularly important in the reception and reputation of such libraries".
However, in an edition of "Tom Tyler and his Wife" in 1661 the publisher and bookseller Francis Kirkman
Francis Kirkman
Francis Kirkman appears in many roles in the English literary world of the second half of the seventeenth century, as a publisher, bookseller, librarian, author and bibliographer...
included a catalogue of 690 plays which he claimed to be ready to lend "upon reasonable considerations" from his premises in Westminster.
In Britain there were more than 200 commercial circulating libraries open in 1800, more than twice the number of subscription and private proprietary libraries that were operating at the same time. Many proprietors pandered to the most fashionable clientele, making much ado about the sort of shop they offered, the lush interiors, plenty of room and long hours of service.
Cuban independent library movement
Cuban dissidents such as Roberto de MirandaRoberto de Miranda
Roberto de Miranda is a Cuban professor and head of the College of Independent Teachers of Cuba, which a non-governmental organization that he founded in July 1992...
have founded independent libraries.
United Kingdom
- 1653: Chetham's LibraryChetham's LibraryChetham's Library in Manchester, England is the oldest free public reference library in the United Kingdom. Chetham's Hospital, which contains both the library and Chetham's School of Music, was established in 1653 under the will of Humphrey Chetham , for the education of "the sons of honest,...
- 1680: Innerpeffray LibraryInnerpeffray LibraryInnerpeffray Library was the first lending library in Scotland. It is located in the hamlet of Innerpeffray, by the River Earn in Perth and Kinross, southeast of Crieff. The library is a Category A listed building....
- 1704: Thomas Plume's LibraryThomas PlumeThe Reverend Doctor Thomas Plume, B.A., D.D. was an English churchman and philanthropist, founder of a school which still stands today, the Plume School, in Maldon, Essex.-Family life:...
- 1741: The Leadhills Miners' LibraryLeadhillsLeadhills is a village in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, 5¾ miles WSW of Elvanfoot. Population 835. Originally known as Waterhead, It is the second highest village in Scotland after Wanlockhead, lying 395m above sea-level, near the source of Glengonnar Water, an affluent of the River Clyde...
- 1768: Leeds libraryLeeds LibraryThe Leeds Library is the oldest surviving subscription library in the UK. It was founded in 1768 following an advertisement placed in the Leeds Intelligencer earlier that year. The first secretary was Joseph Priestley. The library moved several time in its early years before settling in the...
- 1788: Linen Hall LibraryLinen Hall LibraryThe Linen Hall Library is located at 17 Donegall Square North, Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is the oldest library in Belfast and the last subscribing library in Northern Ireland. The Library is physically in the centre of Belfast, and more generally at the centre of the cultural and creative life...
- 1793: The Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle upon Tyne
- 1793: Westerkirk Parish Library
- 1797: The Athenaeum (Liverpool)
- 1799: Tavistock Subscription Library
- 1800: Langholm Library
- 1806: Portico LibraryPortico LibraryThe Portico Library on Mosley Street, Manchester is a subscription library built in the Greek Revival style between 1802-1806. It is a Grade II* listed building as at 25 February 1952....
- 1810: Plymouth Proprietary Library
- 1812: Plymouth Athenaeum Library
- 1813: Devon and Exeter Institution
- 1816: Nottingham Subscription LibraryNottingham Subscription LibraryThe Nottingham Subscription Library is a subscription library in the UK. It was founded in 1816 and moved to its present location at Bromley House on Angel Row in 1822...
- 1818: Morrab LibraryMorrab LibraryThe Morrab Library is an independent library based in Penzance in Cornwall in the UK.The library situated in Morrab House in Morrab Gardens, and was founded in 1818. Morrab is financed through membership subscriptions and is notable for its large celtic studies collection and local archives...
- 1824: Bath Royal Literary and Scientific InstitutionBath Royal Literary and Scientific InstitutionThe Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution is an educational charity based in Bath, England. It was founded in 1824 and provides a museum, an independent library, exhibition space, meeting rooms and a programme of public lectures, discussion groups and exhibitions related to science, the...
- 1824: Ipswich Institute Reading Room and Library
- 1832: Bradford Mechanics' Institute Library
- 1832: Saffron Walden Town Library Society
- 1834: Guildford Institute of the University of Surrey
- 1839: Highgate Literary and Scientific Institution
- 1841: London LibraryLondon LibraryThe London Library is the world's largest independent lending library, and the UK's leading literary institution. It is located in the City of Westminster, London, England, United Kingdom....
- 1854: Birmingham and Midland InstituteBirmingham and Midland InstituteThe Birmingham and Midland Institute , now on Margaret Street in the city centre of Birmingham, England was a pioneer of adult scientific and technical education and today offers Arts and Science lectures, exhibitions and concerts. It is a registered charity...
- 1889: Saint Deiniol's Residential Library
- 1894: Bishopsgate InstituteBishopsgate InstituteBishopsgate Institute is a cultural institute, located on Bishopsgate, in proximity of Liverpool Street station and Spitalfields market, London, England.Bishopsgate Institute was established in 1895...
- 1912: Armitt LibraryArmitt LibraryArmitt Library is an independent library and museum, founded in Ambleside in Cumbria by Mary Louisa Armitt in 1909. It is a registered charity under English law....
- 1928: Sybil Campbell Library
United States of America
- 1731: Library Company of PhiladelphiaLibrary Company of PhiladelphiaThe Library Company of Philadelphia is a non-profit organization based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded by Benjamin Franklin as a library, the Library Company of Philadelphia has accumulated one of the most significant collections of historically valuable manuscripts and printed material in...
- 1747: Redwood Library and AthenaeumRedwood Library and AthenaeumThe Redwood Library and Athenaeum is a private subscription library at 50 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island. Founded in 1747, it is the oldest community library still occupying its original building in the United States.-History:...
- 1748: Charleston Library SocietyCharleston Library Societythumb|The Library Society's first permanent address, which it occupied from 1792 to 1835, was within what is now the Charleston County Courthouse at 82 Broad St.thumb|The Library Society was located at 50 Broad St. from 1835 to 1914....
- 1753: Providence AthenaeumProvidence AthenaeumThe Providence Athenaeum, founded in 1753 in Providence, Rhode Island, is the fourth oldest subscription library in the United States. Only the Library Company of Philadelphia, founded in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin, Newport's Redwood Library and Athenaeum, founded in 1747, and the Charleston Library...
- 1754: New York Society LibraryNew York Society LibraryThe New York Society Library is the oldest cultural institution in New York City. It was founded in 1754 by the New York Society as a subscription library. During the time when New York was the capital of the United States, it was the de facto Library of Congress. Until the establishment of the...
- 1795: Lexington (Kentucky) Library Society
- 1807: Boston Athenaeum
- 1810: Salem AthenaeumSalem AthenaeumThe Salem Athenaeum, founded in 1810, is one of the oldest private library organizations in the United States. The Athenaeum is located at 337 Essex Street in Salem, Massachusetts.-History:...
- 1814: Athenaeum of PhiladelphiaAthenaeum of PhiladelphiaThe Athenaeum of Philadelphia, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a special collections library founded in 1814 to collect materials "connected with the history and antiquities of America, and the useful arts, and generally to disseminate useful knowledge" for public benefit...
- 1816: New Orleans Library Society
- 1817: Portsmouth Athenaeum
- 1820: General Society Library of New York City
- 1820: Maine Charitable Mechanic Association Library of Portland
- 1820: Mercantile Library of New York City
- 1826: Institute Library of New Haven
- 1835: Mercantile Library of CincinnatiMercantile Library of CincinnatiThe Mercantile Library of Cincinnati is a membership library located in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. The name of the Library refers not to the type of items in its collection but to the forty-five merchants and clerks who founded it on April 18, 1835 as the Young Men's Mercantile Library Association...
- 1836: Providence AthenaeumProvidence AthenaeumThe Providence Athenaeum, founded in 1753 in Providence, Rhode Island, is the fourth oldest subscription library in the United States. Only the Library Company of Philadelphia, founded in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin, Newport's Redwood Library and Athenaeum, founded in 1747, and the Charleston Library...
- 1846: St. Louis Mercantile Library Association
- 1855: San Francisco Mechanics' InstituteSan Francisco Mechanics' InstituteThe Mechanics' Institute Library and Chess Room is a historic membership library, cultural event center, and chess club located in the Financial District of San Francisco, California at 57 Post Street...
- 1890: Lanier Library of North Carolina
- 1899: Athenaeum Music & Arts LibraryAthenaeum Music & Arts LibraryThe Athenaeum Music & Arts Library is a non-profit membership library located in La Jolla, a community of San Diego, California. It was incorporated as the Library Association of La Jolla in 1899...
of La Jolla - 1999: John Trigg Ester LibraryJohn Trigg Ester LibraryThe John Trigg Ester Library is a small membership library, located in Ester in the U.S. state of Alaska. The library has approximately 5,000 volumes in its collections, and is constructing a new ....
External links
- "Where Greek Ideals Meet New England Charm" - article about subscription libraries in New EnglandNew EnglandNew England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
, from The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, March 7, 2008